Nontraditional methods such as nymphing an egg patern with a couple split shot. Very affective but esentionally using a fly rod as a drift rod.

In my opinion its still fly fishing. Its just using a tool in a different manor to accomplish the same thing. Yes you loose the smoothness and finess.

I havent really fished successfully any other way for winter steelhead, accept using an indicator. Ive tried sink tips but havent given them a fare shot.

I plan on buying a Rio Versi tip this winter so I can become more versitile but I do enjoy fishing eggs with split shot. I do see that I am only limited to low water conditions using the indicator or split shot methods but I dont know If I would enjoy fly fishing in higher flows anyways.

I have been very successful using these methods, I caught more steelies on my fly rod last year than my gear rods.

Anyways what do ya think chuck and duckin or fly fishin?

Nothing like a little debate to get this sucker roleing.